"She’s young and inexperienced. It would be hard for her to keep a secret."
Fang Mingxuan sighed.
"You’re right. Now isn’t a good time for a public reunion.
"But please, stay in the manor for a few more days... I... your father... truly have so much I want to say to you.
"If you’re not willing to reveal yourself now, who knows how long it will be before we can see each other again after you leave."
Hearing the desperation in his voice, Fang Shuwen could only agree.
And so, this reunion, while not revealing who the true mastermind behind the incident all those years ago was, at least provided a clue.
Besides, the main branch of the family likely knew more.
If he got the chance in the future, he could pay them a visit and investigate.
...
...
That evening, the Fang Family held a grand banquet.
Fang Lingxin was overjoyed to see that her father had even invited their mother—who usually spent her days and nights praying in the Buddhist hall, never seeing outsiders—to join them.
However, Fang Shuwen had repeatedly warned him, so Fang Mingxuan temporarily withheld the truth from his wife.
The plan was for Fang Shuwen to meet with her privately after the banquet and reveal his identity then.
But what Fang Shuwen never expected was that Madam Fang only needed one look at him before she couldn’t stop her tears from falling.
Fang Lingxin, who had been so happy just a moment ago, was frightened by this scene, not understanding what was wrong with her mother.
Fang Shuwen’s eyes instantly welled up as well.
When he first transmigrated, the warmth of a young, beautiful woman pressing her pale cheek against his had been the first warmth he felt in this new world.
He never would have thought that while Fang Mingxuan had seen him many times without recognizing him,
she had known who he was from the very first glance.
’Thinking back, it’s a good thing I resisted the urge to see her last time,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, my cover would have been blown long ago.’
But she didn’t cry for long. After receiving a confirmatory look from Fang Mingxuan, she composed herself completely and finished the family dinner.
That night, however, they had Fang Shuwen recount his experiences over and over again.
Fang Shuwen tried his best to tell them only the happy stories, but the old couple couldn’t stop crying as they listened.
It was no use, no matter how much Fang Shuwen tried to console them.
Their only comfort was that Fang Shuwen was doing very well now.
His fame was rising, his might shook the land, and he had a resounding title in the Jianghu!
But when his mother asked what that title was, Fang Shuwen stammered, unable to say it.
Later, after finding out from Fang Mingxuan, Fang Shuwen thought she would admonish him to kill less... but instead, she just took his hand and said:
"My son only slays wicked people.
"Eradicating evil is a form of doing good. My son, your good deeds are immeasurable!"
Fang Shuwen was momentarily stunned, finally understanding what unconditional favoritism felt like.
In the end, he stayed with the Fang Family for three days. Aside from the last night, which he spent with Yu Yaoguang, he spent the rest of his time either accompanying his mother in the Buddhist hall or chatting and drinking tea with Fang Mingxuan in the study.
The days passed in tranquil leisure.
「Three days later.」
Yu Yaoguang left with Fang Lingxin.
Fang Shuwen, in turn, bid farewell to Fang Mingxuan and his wife, planning to return to Julu City first.
Before he left, Fang Mingxuan gave Fang Shuwen a great many things.
Land deeds, silver notes, a box of the clan’s Martial Arts Manuals, and information on how to contact the main branch, including their specific location...
Fang Mingxuan even wanted to "pack up" all the subordinates he had trained over the years and have Fang Shuwen take them with him.
Fang Shuwen had to vehemently refuse before Fang Mingxuan finally dropped the idea.
To avoid drawing attention, Fang Shuwen’s departure was a quiet affair. Fang Mingxuan only saw him to the door.
A gentle wave of the hand served as their farewell, and then Fang Shuwen headed straight for Julu City.
Chen Yan had wanted to follow, but he felt there wasn’t much worth recording on this trip, so he parted ways with Fang Shuwen for the time being to go find some excitement on his own.
Fang Shuwen paid him no mind. Without him as a burden, Fang Shuwen directly used the Electric Light Divine Step.
The journey that had taken him and Zhou Qingmei half a month to walk was now completed in a mere matter of days.
Staring at the magnificent city before him, Fang Shuwen stood at the gates, overcome with a wave of emotions.
He had been gone for more than half a year, but it felt like a lifetime ago.
After composing himself, he finally stepped through the city gates.
Julu City, Four Seas Martial Arts Hall!
The sound of fists and feet whistling through the air echoed through the main hall of the martial arts school.
Two burly men were sparring.
Zheng Sihai sat on the master’s seat, his expression grim.
He was sixty-three this year, a scrawny little old man, yet he possessed a commanding presence as he sat there.
His gaze occasionally shifted to another man in the hall, also a sturdy-looking old man.
He was Zheng Sihai’s old rival, a man surnamed Song—the master of the Longwu Martial Arts Hall, Song Longwu!
In the business of martial arts halls, one had to establish dominance by challenging and defeating other schools.
Years ago, Zheng Sihai had done just that to Song Longwu’s hall, which led to the decades of glory for the Four Seas Martial Arts Hall.
Not long ago, this Song Longwu had returned.
He brought with him a group of disciples with formidable martial arts skills to challenge the hall, vowing to take back everything that was once his.
Now, the Four Seas Martial Arts Hall had suffered one defeat after another and was on the brink of total collapse.
The first disciple, Mo Beidou, had volunteered to fight, and this battle had already been going on for some time.
Suddenly, a sound like a tiger’s roar erupted. Mo Beidou’s fists struck like a fierce tiger, his momentum unstoppable. THUD! THUD! His opponent was sent flying backward.
Cheers immediately broke out within the Four Seas Martial Arts Hall.
But then, Song Longwu was heard to sneer:
"The Four Seas Martial Arts Hall is nothing special, it seems. The Fist Technique your first disciple is using is clearly not your Four Seas Insect Fist, nor is it the Scattered Flower Hand.
"It’s obvious he knows that what your hall teaches is nothing more than farmer’s-style theatrics, not worth mentioning."
Mo Beidou flew into a rage.
"How dare you! You’re spouting utter nonsense!"
Zheng Sihai’s expression grew even darker. Just as he was about to speak, a voice suddenly rang out from outside the entrance:
"Who dares to come to my Four Seas Martial Arts Hall and spout such insolence?"
The crowd parted as everyone turned toward the voice, but they could only hear it, not see who was speaking.
When they turned back, they saw a handsome, plainly dressed young man standing in the center of the hall.
He bowed deeply to Zheng Sihai.
"Disciple pays his respects to his honored Master."
Mo Beidou’s eyes lit up.
"Xiao Shiliu.
"You’re finally back!"